Oakland / Bay Area , California
112 Members
Live Yes! Connect Groups offer local connections, education and empowerment. Adults living with arthritis from our local community come together for professional- and volunteer-led sessions on a variety of topics, as well as fun group activities.
We offer a place of understanding and encouragement for both people living with arthritis and their loved ones. Group participants become self-advocates, develop self-management skills and learn how to not just survive life with arthritis but to thrive.
Upcoming Events
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Tuesday, October 14th, 20257:00 PM PT1h
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Virtual Event
- 3 people attending
Join us for a ghoulish Halloween virtual social on Tueday, October 14th at 7 pm. Dress in costume and bring your favorite Tricks or Treats. Say BOO and Scary on!
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Tuesday, November 11th, 20257:00 PM PT1h
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Virtual Event
- 3 people attending
Join us for a virtual Holiday Tips and Tricks presentation on Tuesday, November 11th at 7 pm. Learn how to stay stress-free and enjoy the season. (No dreading the holidays!) See you on November 11th!
- Event List
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Tuesday, October 14th, 20257:00 PM PT1h
-
Virtual Event
- 3 people attending
Join us for a ghoulish Halloween virtual social on Tueday, October 14th at 7 pm. Dress in costume and bring your favorite Tricks or Treats. Say BOO and Scary on!
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Tuesday, November 11th, 20257:00 PM PT1h
-
Virtual Event
- 3 people attending
Join us for a virtual Holiday Tips and Tricks presentation on Tuesday, November 11th at 7 pm. Learn how to stay stress-free and enjoy the season. (No dreading the holidays!) See you on November 11th!
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Tuesday, December 9th, 20257:00 PM PT1h
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Virtual Event
- 3 people attending
Join us for a Virtual celebration of the Holidays and one more year of Connect Group support! Bring your favorite drink, holiday gear and recipes. We'll play some games and share the cheer! Looking forward to seeing you!
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Thursday, June 12th, 2025
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Saturday, September 6th, 2025
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Monday, September 15th, 2025
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Virtual Event
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Thursday, December 18th, 2025
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Virtual Event
Facilitators [2]
Members [112]
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Connect Groups - Oakland / Bay Area California
Comment
Comments [12]
Hi,
The Bay Area/Oakland Connect Group meets virtually the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. This coming month will be a Virtual Group Social. Register at the Arthritis Foundation Connect Group Page.
We also wanted to send out a reminder for the upcoming events for the Arthritis Foundation:
We hope to see you at an upcoming Connect Group meeting!!
Anne and adrienne
Hi everyone,
I see that there has not been much activity here for a while, but if anyone is listening, I could use some advice on getting good care for hip osteoarthritis via Kaiser -- which I don't feel I'm getting now -- or where to get treatments outside of Kaiser. I'm on Medicare Advantage.
Thanks,
Jan
Hi Jan,
We can not give recommenations of medical information but if you would like to join the group, we meet on the second Tuesday for each month. We would love to have you join us!!
Hi All!
I have not had someone come into my house to do housekeeping since the pandemic (on immunosuppressants). I injured my arm doing vacuuming in 2020. I have iRobot machines to clean the floors now. :) I wondered if anyone in this group knows of a housecleaning service that is williing to wear N95 masks and show proof of vaccination?
Thanks,
Anne
Hi Oakland / Bay Area group!
We've been hearing that some people aren't receiving messages sent through the Live Yes Connect Group site, so I am pasting the Zoom link here for our event this Sunday: East West and Me: A Physician's Perspective Discussion with Dr. Beth Biggee.
Please RSVP on our Connect Group page if you are interested in attending.
Here is the Zoom link if you did not receive the email: https://arthritisfoundation.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oc-Ctqz4oEtBOm6tCQX27W5ltDwwIIhhQ
See you on Sunday!
Access specialized care fo rArthritis in Kansas to alleviate pain and improve mobility
Hello! I'm so glad I received an email and found this group. I don't use Social Media and finding this group is a gift! I signed up for the joint event in November with the physician presentation.
Looking forward to getting to know you all.
Hello! I'm so glad I received an email and found this group. I don't use Social Media and finding this group is a gift! I signed up for the joint event in November with the physician presentation.
Looking forward to getting to know you all.
Can anyone tell me why 9.7 is considered high CCP level when everything I have read states 20 is a high level? My RF factor is high 156 but CCP is 9.7 and all other blood tests are normal. I have swollen joints and other signs of RA but wondering if it could be something else? Taking Hydroxychloroquine and my doctor wants to put me on mtx which I don't want to do if I can manage on Hydroxychloroquine. He scares me when he tellls me the RA will attack my organs if I don't take it. Anyone in this group who has lived with this disease for awhile can enlighten me I would appreciate it!
Hello fellow warriors,
Is this group still facilitated? I was hoping to find robust discussion & networking; dealing with a chronic condition in isolatoin is so challenging! I've yearned for a local support group for years....anyone else?
Best,
Jennifer (SF)
Hello,
Also been looking for a local support network for a while. I hope this group is still going. Wishing everyone pain free days!
Lisa in SF
Hi Jennifer,
I completely understand. I am not sure these groups are active, but I really want them to be!
Hello :)
I used to be fairly active, then started having joint pain in 2019, age 38. My PCP ran bloodwork, but the only thing that shows up sometimes is slightly increased inflammation. She referred me to a rheumatologist in Sept and my bloodwork tests were “reassuringly normal”. I’d like to find out what is causing the joint pain so that it can be treated / not get worse. My mom was diagnosed with RA at 56 and has a finger she cannot bend :(
In an arthritis group, two tests were mentioned that I haven’t had yet: Protein 14-3-3η (Eta) test and Vectra test.
Does anyone have any experience with these? Does insurance in California ever cover these tests?
Thanks!
Jessica
Hi Erin,
Thanks for starting this group. I am new to the group and to RA. I am in the larger Bay Area, but since all connections are virtual, I suppose that will work! I look forward to getting to know the group!
Alice
Hi Alice -- welcome! We are working on scheduling our next event and would love for you to join us!
Hi All! I hope you all are doing well. My name is Eryn and I am the new facilitator for this group. This is a very new group and we are just getting it up and going. Thanks for joining! We are in the process of scheduling our first joint virtual event with other Bay Area Connect groups. Stay tuned for more information soon!
I have RA and I am now unable to get the Hydroxychloroquine that I have been prescribed by my doctor for the last 11 years. I take this in addition to Methotrexate and Prednisone (when needed for flares). The Hydroxychloroquine has helped lessen the severe flares and made them less frequent. My Doctor told me that I should start rationing the Plaquenil (Hydroxy) to make it last longer, because he can no longer prescribe it, due to the nationwide shortage. How can the government do this to people who need this medicine? I hope to raise awareness of this issue and stop the government from taking medicine from those who need it. Help!
Hi Anne -- nice to meet you virtually! I hope you have already been able to figure this out, but in case this is helpful I wanted to share an Arthritis Foundation resource that exists. There is a helpline for issues accessing medication, finding care, insurance issues, medication/diagnosis questions. The number is: 1.800.283.7800
Hi Anne -- nice to meet you virtually! I hope you have already been able to figure this out, but in case this is helpful I wanted to share an Arthritis Foundation resource that exists. There is a helpline for issues accessing medication, finding care, insurance issues, medication/diagnosis questions. The number is: 1.800.283.7800